Possible FREE-TO-VIEW CARD Crisis

jez

Folks, I don't like replicating info but here is a paragraph from the latest(May issue)of What Satellite.

"Almost a million homes could lose access to ITV,Channel 4,and Five by satellite because no one is managing the free-to-view card operation.
The BBC currently pays £4 million a year for the 850,000 free-to-view-or solus-cards,which allow viewers to pick up the terrestrial
channels and their digital spin-offs.
Going free-to-air will save the BBC further millions because all Sky viewing cards are being swapped for a new version this spring.Sky's plans call for existing viewing cards to be deactivated when the switchover is complete,probably at the end of the summer.
ITV,Channel 4 or Five were discussing the Solus operation as What Satellite & Digital TV went to press"

Any comments?? Surely this means the old FTV cards will be switched off soon. I'm sure the Sky encryption service will only want to facilitate the new type card software??

Lennoxschips

Couldn't they send a once-off signal to the FTV cards telling them to "operate indefinitely". This way Sky wouldn't have to use up bandwith to constantly send messages to the cards, and they could still work.

(i can dream)

watty

Typical journalistic speculation.

ITV, Five & C4 are commercial and rely on Ads,
They collectively pay ££millions
BBC don't and never did manage the Cards.

NDS (Sky) has always issued them.
The PO used to do user call centre but the FTV call centre is now operated also by Sky.

It is possible that they won't replace any more FTV cards, so they and the cancelled Sky Sub cards will continue to work as FTV cards for ITV, C4, Five.

It is "old" *active subscription* cards that will be turned off when Sky feels they have replaced them.

carrolls

I think the BBC paid Sky to manage the FTV cards.
About £5 Million a year.

dosfromclare

This seems to be the best thread ot post this ... My FTA card which has been working for the past 18 months won't show ITV & C4. It says it needs an upgrade. 5 is the only channel in operation. I lost the BBCs a couple of months ago. Any idea what has happened ?

Thanks.

watty

Unplug phone line (if connected)
Leave FTV card in slot.
Turn off power.
Hold backup on the box, not remote while reconnect power.
When message is on TV (need SCART, RF is off) about updating then let go backup button.

Leave FTV card in slot on any FTV channel at least overnight and check channels next day. Should be all back.

Your card or box has missed a key or sw upgrade transmission

dosfromclare

Thanks Watty. Much appreciated.

robert muldoon

Originally posted by dosfromclare
Thanks Watty. Much appreciated.

Let us know if it worked for you

robert muldoon

Originally posted by watty
Unplug phone line (if connected)
Leave FTV card in slot.
Turn off power.
Hold backup on the box, not remote while reconnect power.
When message is on TV (need SCART, RF is off) about updating then let go backup button.

Leave FTV card in slot on any FTV channel at least overnight and check channels next day. Should be all back.

Your card or box has missed a key or sw upgrade transmission

Will this system also work after the new replacement sub card is activated? I hav'nt got mine yet but I am concerned that I will not be able to use my FTV card with the new sub card

EKRIUQ

no it won't work I've tried it and the new sub card has deactivated my FTV card and its now even 12 months old yet

TVDX

A couple of months ago i got blasted by David letterman, the forum user, for saying that the most reliable way of using an FTV card was with a second digibox.


Well, David, when you insert your new P2 card then say goodbye to your old ftv card, looks like youll have to sort out another, doesnt it?.

robert muldoon

Originally posted by TVDX
A couple of months ago i got blasted by David letterman, the forum user, for saying that the most reliable way of using an FTV card was with a second digibox.


Well, David, when you insert your new P2 card then say goodbye to your old ftv card, looks like youll have to sort out another, doesnt it?.

This does NOT seem to be the case with everybody, as you will read in other threads here. I think its early days yet and untill there are more new P2 cards in the system, then we might get a better picture of whats happening. SO lets not panic just yet!

jez

Folks

I have the new Irish sky card for my own Digibox plus an expired sky sub new type card paired to another box. (Welsh Version). If I put the Welsh new card in Irish box to get itv etc on occasion will it cause any channels (ie. BBC) to be lost??


Thanks

dosfromclare

Thanks Watty,

ITV & C4 were back yesterday when I got home from work. Please note that these are old cards.